Ballast structure for cargo ships



sept. 3o, 1947 P. THOMPSON BALLAST STRUCTURE FOR CARGO SHIPS Filled oct. 42, 1945 .4 sheets-sheet v1 INVENToR. PETER THOMPSON Sept 30, 1947 P. THoMPsQN' l 2,428,050v

y BALLAST STRUCTURE FOR CARGO SHPS Filed oct. 2,' 1945 4 .sneets-sheet 2 v Y ,.N O @-00 .-Q -0- C Q Q Q f L J, j wwkmwxm B Gw m on m mw mw Sept. 30, 1947 P. THOMPSON 2,428,050

. BALLAST STRUCTURE Fon' cARjGo SHIPS y Filed Oct. '2. 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ggfs@ 2PM/D, 2S, 4S)

INVENTOR.

36B? *g dan# o Mismo/'nays 17% P. THOMPSONl BALLAST STRUCTURE FOR CARGO SHIPS I Sept. v30, l1947 Filed Oct. 2.11945 l 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 @Tg l' I INVENTQR.

*I I II PE 7' Ef? THOMPSON His Attorneys Patented Sept. 30, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 25 Claims.

This invention relates Vto merchant ships and particularly to novel and improved ship hold and collapsible water ballast structures.

One object of the invention is a novel and improved movable ballast Vstructure of the above indicated character which is characterized by the marked ease and facility with which it may be collapsed and stored in compact units Within the hold When not needed for Water ballast, and, when needed for ballast, may be with equal ease and facility moved and set up in Water ballast functioning position to divide the `hold into port and starboard sections of multiple ballast compartments.

A further object of the invention is a structure of the above indicated character which is further characterized by its simplicity in construction and manipulation and by the ease of manufacture, assembly and mounting.

Other objects of the invention will hereinafter appear.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying-drawings forming a part of this application wherein- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view o-f a ship hold embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of a part thereof;

Fig, 2Ais a plan View thereof;

Fig. 2B is a sectional View along the line 2-B of Fig, 2;

Figs. 3 and 4 are elevational views of certain of the ballast elements;

Fig. 5 is a view oi the mounting of certain of the elements;

Fig. 5A is an enlarged View of a part of Fig. 5;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic plan View of a modication;

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of a part thereof; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view along the line l8---3 of Fig. '7.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, I have illustrated my invention las embodied in the :hold of a ship where the side frames MP and MS are substantially straight in the fore and aft direction or have only slight curvatures in that ldirection as, for example, the midship hold of conventional merchant ships but it is understood that the vinvention is applicable to other shipholds. The hold is formed by the side frames MS and MP and by the athwart bulkheads N and O. The diagonal lines P Aand R indicate approximately the area of the ceiling in the way of the hatch which is disposed at the bottom of the hold.

The lhold is divided into twelve water ballast compartments IUS, IUP, IIS, IIP, IZS, lil?, ESS, ISP, MS, UIP, I5S and I5P. The compartments IZS, |213, its and ISP are substantially longer than the other compartments, approaching in length the Width of the ceiling. rII'he ballast compartments are formed by rive assembly units of collapsible ballast plates, each assembly unit being permanentlyV attached to the hold structure and comprising elements Which are storable against the hold frame structure as described below. These assemblyl units `are indicated at Iii, il, It, I9 and 20.

The assembly unit 2l! is disposed along the center line of the ship and comprises center line bulkheads 20A and 20B ydisposed on the opposite sides of the hatch 4and connected respectively with the athwart bulkheads O and N. The partitions or bulkheads 20A and 29B are fixed in position and the assembly unit 2li includes a pair of movably mounted ballast plates I and IA, these being hinged to the hatch stanchions or I-beams 2l and 22 at 23 and 24, respectively. The assembly unit 20 thus divides the hold into port and starboard sections, each containing six ballast compartments.

Each of the ballast plate assembly units It, Il, I8 and i9 comprises two or more plates and these plates in the water ballast position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, are disposed with certain elements thereof lying in the fore and aft direction and certain elements thereof lying athwart ship. The mounting and arrangement are such that at least certain of the athwart elements and fore and aft elements may be collapsed and stored parallel to each other and closely adjacent the athwart bulkheads Each assembly unit I6, Il, I6 and I9 embodies a fore and aft partition and an athwart partition. For examplethe assembly unit I6 comprises an athwart partition 2S, 3S and a fore and aft partition 5S, GS, SC. The assembly unit Il comprises the athwart partition 4S, 5S and the fore and aft partition iS, 8S,y 9D and the assembly unit It comprises athwart partition AP, 5l? and the fore and aft partition 'IP, 8P, 9B. The assembly unit Il) comprises the vathwart partition 2P and 3P and the fore and aft partition 5P, tl?, 9A. The fore and aft lpartitions are pivotally fastened to the athwart partitions so that they can be collapsed upon each other for storage against the hold frame structure. In the embodiment shown, the athwart and fore and aft partitionsv of each assembly unit are each divided intermediate their lengths for minimizing weight and facilitating assembly into the water ballast position and into the storage position. To this end each assembly unit comprises two separately storable parts. For example, the athwart partition of unit IG is divided into two parts 2S, 3S and the fore and aft partition is divided into three parts, SS, S and SC with the athwart part 3S and the fore and aft parts 5S and QC being collapsible against athwart bulkhead N as shown in dot and dash lines, While the athwartelement 2S and the fore and aft element SS are collapsible upon each other for storage against the center line bulkhead 2B as shown in the do-t and dash line. To effect this purpose the part of the assembly unit I6 comprising the athwart element 3S and the fore and aft elements 5S and 9C are movably mounted and fastened to the ship structure for movement from the storage position against the athwart bulkhead N to the full line water ballast position, and in the particular embodiment shown this movable mounting and fastening is by pivotally attaching one end of the partition element 5S, 9C to the athwart lbulkhead N, as indicated diagrammatically by the hinge 26 whereby the plate element 5S is moved about the axis of the hinge 26 to and from the storage position and the water ballast position. The athwart plate element 3S and the fore and aft plate element 9C are pivotally fastened to each other about a pivotal axis 2l and these two lplate elements are movably mounted to the storage `position indicated in dot and dash line, these elements being fastened to the ship structure by the `pivotal fastening of the plate 9C to the end of the plate element 5S by means of a pivotal or hinge connection 28.

In the position for Water ballast functioning the plate elements 9C and 3S are rigidly fastened at right angles to each other by means of one or more link fastening means 3S but the fastening link 30 is readily detachable at one end so as to permit the swinging of the plate 9C into alinement with the athwartpplate 3S in the storage position. The other part of the assembly unit I6 comprising the athwart plate element 2S and the fore and aft plate element BS are pivotally fastened to each other on the vertical axis 3| and in the lparticular embodiment shown the athwart plate element 2S is movably mounted and fastened to the ship structure by being pivotally fastened on the vertical axis at 32 to the center line bulkhead 20B and these plate elements 2S and BS are movable to and collapsible in a position Aclosely adjacent the center line bulkhead 20B.

The assembly unit I'I is similar to the assembly unit I5 and is movably mounted and permanently fastened to the ship structure similarly to the unit I6. In this case the athwart element 5S and the fore and aft elements 8S and 9B are collapsible against the athwart bulkhead O similarly to the elements 3S, 5S and BC of the unit I6 and the elements 4S and 1S, mounted and fastened similarly to the elements 2S and 5S for movement to and from a storage position against the center line bulkhead 20A. The description of the assembly unit I6 also applies to the assembly units I8 and I9 with the athwart section 5P and fore and aft sections 8P and 9B being collapsible against the athwart bulkhead O and similarly with respect to the athwart section 3P and fore and aft elements 5P and 9A upon the athwart bulkhead N. The elements i? and 'IP are collapsible against the port side of the center line bulkhead ZQA and similarly the elements 2P and 3P are collapsible against the port side of the 4 center line bulkhead 2GB. After the assembly units I3 and I9 are moved over to and collapsed into storage positions the hinged or pivotally mounted elements I and IA of the assembly unit 2B are swung around into storage position respectively parallel to the center line bulkheads ZIlB and ZQA with parts of the collapsed units I9 and I8 disposed between the elements I and IA and the center line bulkheads.

The assembly units I5, Il, I and I9 and the movable elements I and IA of the center line assembly unit may be securely fastened in the Water ballast functioning position by any suitable means and I have illustrated somewhat diagrammatically such fastening means. The plate elements I and IA are detachably fastened by a means 35. The plate elements 5S and 6P are fastened to the plate elements 'IS and 'IP by means 36. These plate elements are also provided with a bracing transverse fastening and holding means 33 which at the outer ends 38 are fastened to the side frames of the hold MS and MP, respectively. These transverse bracing and fastening means 3S are fastened to the junction between the Aplate elements BS and IS, the plate 6P and 'IP and the plates i and IA and as diagrammatically shown in Fig. l the fastening of the means 33 are at. the fastening means 35 and Sii. The fastening means 38 may comprise rods or cables with turn buckles disposed at 36 and other desirable points in the fastening means. The outer ends of the plate elements 3S, 5S, 3P and EP are secured to the side frames MS and MP by a means 3S. When the assembly units I6, Il, I8 and I3 are not formed in single units as, for example, when they are formed of the separate parts shown and described, these separate parts are firmly fastened together by a fastening means carried by the plate elements SS, 'IS and 5P, IP which fastening means l0 are rigidly fastened respectively to the plates 9A, 9B, 9C and SBD. Thus with five assembly units of collapsible 4plates a rigid Water ballast structure may be readily formed comprising six water compartments on each side of the center fore and aft line of the hold with each half of six ccm- -partments functioning independently of the other half except for the spilling of water through openings which may be provided if desired in the center line assembly unit 2li, While the movable collapsible plate elements may readily be moved to the storing positions above described and stored in collapsed units against the athwart bulkheads as above described, and in the particular embodiment shown with parts thereof stored against the center line bulkheads. When thus collapsed and stored with the compact units against the bulkheads the hatch is entirely free of the ballast structure so that cargo being loaded is neither damaged itself nor does it injure the ballast plate structure, and the entire hold is free for accommodating cargo except for the very small percentage of the space occupied by the compact collapsed plates stored against the bulkn heads. Any suitable means may be provided for holding the collapsed plates in the stored position.

As above described the assembly units I6, Il, I8 and I9 may be movably fastened to and movably mounted with respect to the bulkheads in any suitable manner. In the particular embodiments shown each of these units I6, Il, I8 and I9 comprises two separately movable parts with one part being permanently fastened as by the pivotal connections 26 with the athwart bulkheads and asesgoeo' tlieother partpermanently pi-votallysfastened toA the centerc line bulkheads. Due to the large weightof-'these assembly units they are supported b'yrollersiso as toffacilitatelmcvement. of the unitsto andi from the l stored positions and toand from the v'i/ater` ballast functioning positions- The rollersupport means may-'beef any suitable charact-er;` and inthe particular embodiment shown (Figs. 3'- and 4)- tliis roller supportA means comprises a pluralityv ofA castor. roller supports fastened' to the.. plate elements of thek assembly units With the rollers engaging and rolling along the' inner; bottomV asA asupporting track or licor. In' theembodiment shown the plate elements 5P and 5S' are supportedby the castor` roller elements 4i and likewise the plate elements BP and d S'; the plate. elements. 6P. and SSv by theroller elements 42 and 4.3and1ikewisethe plate elementslP and 11S; and theplateelements SP, 35,52 andES, by

- theroller elementslldanda.

Er further supporting. and` facilitating` the movably and pivotallyv mounted. plate elements and facilitating: their movementl have. deviseda special. mount bearing` or. socketstructure shown in'.1ig. 5. Such. pivoted. plates. are provided. with aipivoted shaft 'lwhose lower end projects down intdapiyot socketstructure lil; thesocketot the latter is provided at. the bottom. with. a. spherical bearing. surface d8. and, the shaft. da. is provided with..a,-.corresponding end; surface 46.. The lower end of thefshaft. ismade of. slightly less diameter thanthe. diameter of` the socketas, for example, there being. a diierence in. diameter of.. -ar of; an inchso as: toavoid or minimize sidef surface friction during. the, pivotalx movement of ther plate element;aboutthe-socket;

The socket structure al' is provided. with. a downwardly extendingr passage It?! onv one. side thereof for theY reception ot a` lubricant. supply means supplyingL lubricant tothe socket bottom and side surfaces, the grease.- orlubricant. supply means being diagrammatically shown' atf.. The side clearance, together with5 the lubr,ication,l not only minimizes surface friction but also kprevents deterioration of the bea-ringsurfaces and; seizing or freezing; as. a. result of being. submerged in or subjected to, saltv water frcmtime toy time. The socket structure 41; forms a part` of the supporting structure for the ballast plate elementl 49.

V For example, it may be apart of another ballast plate element which. supports the plate element anditspivote'd shaft 46'; crit may be apart ofthe plateelements 2S, 2P, dS and ACP in form-ing the pivotal support 3l forv the plate elements SS, 6P and-.1S and 1P and likewise it may be theI pivotal supports 2&1 and 28- of the plate elem-ents for sup porting the associated plate elements. It may formi the pivotalsupports 23 and 211 for the plate elements: I? and ItA and likewise the pivotal sup.- ports`265'of the` plate elements 5S, 5P, 8S' and 6P. This structure is. particularly suited. for any ofthe vertically and pivotally mounted ballast plate ele ments orf units. The pivotal shaft d6 mayI be mounted: on the plate ele-ment in any suitable mannerl as, for example, by means of the welded brackets or arms 4S and at 56 I have indicated hinge elements formed on or fastened toy the structural element 5l rigidly connected 0r formed with the pivoted socket structure ill'. These hinge elements maintain the plate element in vertical position with a total weight of the plate supported by the shaft iii and the pivot socketl dll..

The plate elements of the assembly units may beof any suitable structure to obtain the desired rigidityiandstrengthiwitha minimum of.: weig-hta. n-Figs. 2, 2A and; 2131]? have illustrated-isomewllaa diagrammatically areinforcing. means for. the. plate-elements Il and;v llA in-theform offdetachablyf strong b'acks- 55 disposed at the top andbot'tom" offthe-plate'elements l and (A. 'Ilhese-s-trong back reinforcing elements 55 are inthe formof Ibeams bridging theshatch stanohions Zi; 22-wi`th the lowenbeam` 55 restingupon theY ceiling` andthe upperfbeam 55 restingfat itsends-Yon angle yplates` Efb'weldedftothe web--of` the stanchions 21| and 22. These` reinforcing strong back members may befastened' to the plate elements landi IfA- in; anycsuit'able manner as; forexan-mleJ by thel means diafarammatically shown at Eilandthese members 55 asindicatedare thusy detachablycon; necte'd'with the plates Iv and IA an'd--are-also-de'- tachabfly connected' with* the hatch stancliionsV 2 If ande22ias-described The embodiment ofFigs. 61and '7; also includes five assembly units of collapsible and moi/ably mounted ballast' plate elements, namely units Etf; FP, I8, t9 and 2.6,. For convenience in illustration the assembly units i6" and |1lare omitted-since they are duplicates of I9" and4 L81', respectively. In this embodiment, as with the' embodiment describedl above,v the assemblyunitsj l'6; I ;'I.; I; ISJl` arev divided into twoj separablev parts when in the stowed position.. The as.- sembly unit i9' comprises. the ballast; plate-ele-v ments 65;; 66; 61and168`; The unit" I8. comprises the platej 65.', 6.6"',` 6l andv` 68.. The unit. IST-'inthe particular embodiment Vshown .is separable into; the sub-assemblies 65;. 66j and, 61, 68 and likewise the assembly unitv [8f` is' divided;` into twdseparable sub-assemblies 65p', 6 6 and 61266'. The sub-assemblies1 55, 6.6' and 652., 6'6"' are colilapsi'ble for storage respectively against the athwart bul'kheads-N and'Q; The sub-assemblies 61,. 68] and 6'1 '3" 68"A are collapsible upon, each other and movable to stored position against the fore and'. aft. center bulkheads 20B and 20A. The stored positions of these plates are; shown in dot-dash lines.

The assembly units lli',l I1', lj8" and I'S" are, like, the above modication described, movably fastened to the bulkheads at spaced points. For example, the assembly unit |93' is movably fase. tened` to the athwart bulkhead N at 69 and to the center line Vbulkhead 26B at lli and the assembly unit l 8- is similarly fastened at the spaced points 69 and 76'. In the particular embodiment shownthese fastenings are pivotal fasteni-ngs aboutA vertical' axes. In the ballast functioning position the plate elements 6bV and 6'! form in effect a ballasting partition from'the center line bulkhead 26B to the side frame of theY ship and likewisel the elements 66'Y and 67" of the assembly unit lli form another'partition from;l the center line bulkhead 20A to the side frame MP of the ship. As described however thesel partitions are conveniently formed in two partswf'or storage with the fore and' aft plate elements S5, 68 and 65', 68', with these fore and aftl plates being collapsed against' the ath-wart plates and stowed against the bulkheadsl The assembly unitV 26 includes the fore and aftcenter bulkheads 26A and 26B' disposed betweenthe hatch stanchions 2|l and 2-2 and the athwart -bulklieads O and N, simil-arY to the center line bulkheads of the above described modification. The other part". of the assembly unit 26 comprises tworor more collapsible Iballast plates which in the assembledv position for ballast functioning close the gap between the hatch stanchions 2i and 22 to divide the hold into two separate parts of six compartments each. These fore and aft plates are collectively designated by the numeral 1i. In the particular embodiment shown there are three of the plates making up the fore and aft plate 1I, namely IIA, IIB and lIIC. Also in this embodiment the individual plates 1IA, IIB and 'IIC are in the` stowed position collapsed against the ceiling, namely they are pivotally fastened to the ceiling or tank top by means of pivotal or hinged connections l2 so as to be movable from one position to the other about horizontal axes extending fore and aft. The stowed position is shown in the dotand-dash line in Fig. 6. These plates IIA, IIB and IIC may be constructed in any manner so as to have the desired strength and rigidity with a minimum of weight and they may be reinforced also by a pair of I-beams 55 similar to those described above in Figs. 2, 2A and 2B and fastened to the hatch stanchions 2l and 22 as described above. It is understood that these stowable plates are fastened to the reinforcing beams 55 in any suitable manner and in a detachable manner so that the latter can be stowed away in between deck if desired. The stowable plates may be lifted into position by power means and for hooking the doors to the power means there are provided lifting rings 14. As shown in Fig. 8 the plates IIA, 1IB and 'IIC are locked to the upper I-beam 55 by means of locking pads 'I5 welded to the I-beams and passing through slots in the plates, and these locking pads 15 are locked in place by the locking keys or wedges 1B. The lower I-beam 55 is provided with bridle pads TI at a point about midway the length thereof for attachment to turn buckles 'I8 and bridle chains I9. This bridle chain is fastened at 80 to the plate element 68 and another bridle chain 'I9' leads from a ring bolt 8| to a turn buckle 'I8' which in turn is fastened by means of a ring bolt 8l' to the side frame MP of the ship. The beam 55 may be lifted and carried by power means in engagement with suitable ring bolts.

The sub-assembly units B5 and ES are rigidly fastened to the sub-assembly units 5l' and 68 by a pin fastening means shown diagrammatically at 85 and a similar detachable fastening means is illustrated for fastening the sub-assemblies of assembly unit I8', these fastening means being shown diagrammatically for convenience in exposition. The plate elements 66 and 66' are connected with the side frame MP of the ship in any suitably detachable manner as, for example, by the hinged pin connections 86 which are also diagrammatically illustrated. The plate elements 68 and 68 are also connected together in any suitable manner as, for example, by a similarly detachable hinged and pin connection 86. By the disconnection of the detachable fastening means 85, 86 and by disconnection of the bridle chains 'I9 and T9' the assembly ballast plate units I8' and I9 may be moved over to the storage positions above described against the bulkheads and there fastened in any suitable manner against movement. Roller supports for the plate elements 65, 68 and B6', 68 are diagrammatically indicated at 88, these being similar to the roller supports 42, 43, 44 and d5 described above.

The ceiling may be mounted on the plates I IA, IIB and 'IIC in their stowed position and to facilitate the portability of the ceiling it may be made into a multiple number of sections as, for

example, four sections suitably secured together.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4., the plate elements 2S and ES and the plate elements 4S and 8S are pivotally fastened at 32 to the center line bulkheads 20B and 2BA respectively and at points closely adjacent the I-beam stanchions 2l and 22. The plates 2P and 6P and the plates 4P and 'IP are respectively pivotally fastened to the inner sides of the flanges of the I-beams 2I and 22 respectively, while the plates I and IA are pivotally supported at 23 and 24 to the outer surfaces of these flanges. In the embodiment of Figs. 6, '7 and 8 the corresponding plate elements are pivotally fastened directly to the hatch stanchions 2l and 22 and to the outside surfaces of the flanges thereof.

I claim:

l. In a ship cargo hold, a water ballast structure comprising five assembly ballast plate units dividing the hold into starboard and port sections on the opposite sides of the fore and aft center line of the hold, one of said assembly units comprising fore and aft center line partitions disposed on the opposite sides of the hatch and one or more plates pivotally mounted and movable either to positions closing the gap between the inner ends of said partitions or to positions against the hold structure, the other assembly units each comprising athwart partitions extending from points in the vicinity of the inner ends of the center line partitions to the side frames and fore and aft ballast plates pivotally fastened to said athwart partitions at points intermediate their lengths, said assembly units when in the ballast functioning positions dividing each section of the hold into six ballast compartments, said other assembly units being fastened to the hold structure but movably mounted with respect thereto for ready movement either to stowedand collapsed positions against the ship hold structure or from the stowed positions to the ballast functioning positions.

2. In a ship cargo hold defined by athwart bulkheads and side frames, a water ballast structure comprising ve assembly ballast plate units dividing the hold into starboard and port sections on the opposite sides of the fore and aft center line of the hold, one of said assembly units comprising fore and aft center line partitions disposed on the opposite sides of the hatch and onev or more plates pivotally mounted and movable either to positions closing the gap between the inner ends of said partitions or to positions against the hold structure, the other assembly units each comprising athwart partitions extending from points in the vicinity of the inner ends of the center line partitions to the side frames and fore and aft ballast plates pivotally fastened to said athwart partitions at points intermediate their lengths, said assembly units when in the ballast functioning positions dividing each section of the hold into six ballast compartments, said other assembly units being fastened to the hold structure but movably mounted with respect thereto for ready movement either to stowed and collapsed positions against the ship hold structure or from the stowed positions to the ballast functioning positions, at least parts of said athwart partitions being stowable against the athwart bulkheads.

3. In a ship cargo hold, a Water ballast structure comprising five assembly ballast plate units dividing the hold into starboard and port sections on the opposite sides of the fore and aft center line of the hold, one of said assembly units :andfmovable-eitherto positionsclosing the-gap vg ...between the innerends-of said .partitions-orto .positions .against the hold structure, t.the other 1assemblypnits .each .compris-ing .athwart parti- -tions extending from points.. in the vicinityof the .'innercends .of .the vcenter line partitions tothe ^10 :sideframes and vfore :and-.aftballastplates .piv-

4otally .fastened :to .said .athwart partitions .at points intermediate theirlengths, .said .assembly .units when.. in .the .ballast -functioning positions dividing each-section--of the-holdinto six ballast compartments, .said other assemblyunitsabeing .fastened `to the hold lstructure lbuit movably .mounted 'with respect thereto for i ready movementeither to stowed and collapsedpositions v.against the v.ship .hold structure or .from V.the

stowed.positions= to thefballast. functioningzpositions.

:4..`In la. shipcargo hold defined ...by 'athwart bulkheadsand .side frames, .a waterballast struc- ;ture comprising.. five assemblyy ballast. plate units dividing the hold .into starboardandport sections onthe oppositessides of the fore and aft. center .line .of .the hold, one of saidassernbly units com Iprising fore .andait `center linepartitionsA clisposed on the opposite sidesof thehatch .and .a pair Aofv ballast.. plates pivotally. fastened adjacent .the inner endsof Saidcenter line. .partitions .and movable either .to positions closing .the gap .bef .tween the .innerends of saidpartitionsor to; positionslagainst the hold. structure, the. other-.assemv' bly. units each comprising.-athwartpartitions eX- terding from points'in .the Vicinity of. the. inner ends of .the .center line 4partitions to the .side frames.` and foreandait .\bal1astplates .pivotally fastened .to -said .athwartpartitions -at .-points intermediate their lengths, said Aassembly units when intheballast functioningpositions dividing '..eachsection'of the holdzinto six'ballastcompartments -said .otherassembly units .being fastened to the .hold structure` .but .movably mounted .with 445 i. of.saidathwart partitionsibeing stowableiagainst 50 the lath-wart bulkheads .5.. In .a-.ship .cargo hold,.a. water ballaststrucvture comprising4 a, multiplicity of assembly .ballast j'plateunits dividing the. hold into` starboard .and

..port-sections. of multiple ballast compartments von the'opposite lsides of the fore andaft center lineof the hold,.one of saidassembly .units-corn- .prising ffore and. aft center vline partitions .dis- .posed on the opposite sides-of the hatchfandone ormoreplates pivotally mountedand movable either t0 .positions Closing the .gap -between the innerends of said partitions or to positions lagainst .the hold structure, certain of the .other :iassembly units. each comprising fathwart :parti- .tions extending .from points in the vicinityof the V r'inner .ends of. the center .line partitions Ato .the `.side frames, and fore and .aft ballast plates pivotally fastened to .said ath'wart .partitions iat -pointsifintermediate .their lengths, .said assembly units when rin theballast .functioning .positions 70 .dividingaeach section of the holdinto multiple .fwat'erzballast compartments,v said other assembly units being fastened `to .the hold structure .-but .movably .mounted with respect thereto .for yready movement-.either to stowed and collapsed..posi 75 .tionsfagainst' the. ship holdwstructureor from, the

nstowed lpositief-1s i .to ...the ballast .functioning .posi- -tions.

In a-.ship -ecargof hold, f a .water balla-st l.strncture :.COmpriSing sa .multiplicity of assembly .bal- :lastplate mnitsdividing. `the hold y.into fstarboard ,and port -sections :of `.multiple ..bal1ast..compart ments .on .the coppositesigles.of ,the .fore and aft .centerline:ofthe..holdfnne.ofnsad .assembly .units .comprising .onef or more .forenand afteenter .1 line partitions tand one .or more ..plates .pivotally mounted and movable either.togjpositionsiorming a continuation :of .saidcenter .line :partitions or .to q positions .against .lthe fhold. structure, certain :of -the other .'-assembly .units `each .comprising athwart partitions. extending .frornthe ioreland aft` center, line ...to the side frames. and. foreand aft ballast ...plates pivotally :mounted .for .movements .relative .to `said athwart :partitions ,said

0. assembly .unitari/ hen ballast .tunctioningvpositions. dividingfreach.sectiongof ,the holdintoa multiplicityof. ballast compartirlaents,I vsaid other .assembly Zunits .being tastenedto .thelhold .structure but movablymountedimith respect .thereto jf-or last. plate unitsdividing.thelhold into..starb,o,ard

and ,port sections .f.of..in1iltiple ballast compart- -ments on .the..opposite...sides.ofthe fore.,an,d..aft 5. center .line ..of I.tli'erliollp one` of .i said. assembly units oomprisingfforenand. .afticenterj line.,.par.titions disposed .on the :Opposite sides. ,of .the hatch anda- .pair .of platespivotal,l y fastened.) at .lJQntS .in the Nici-nityoff the inneraends vofthepartitions 40.. ,and vmovfalznleceitherv to; positions .closing .thexgap between the inner ends of.said. .partitions.or.tQiDo- `sitions ,Vagaifnst. the hold structure, ...certain ofthe other .-.assembly uni-ts veach. comprising .athwart partitions-A extending from ;points..in. `the .vicinity of. .the inner .endsrot .center line partitionsto .the .side :f-rames, v.and-fore and aft ballast platesapivotally :fastened to .said athwartj partitions Avvat points. intermedi-ate.. their llerigtlla4 Said ,assembly units when inthe ballastfunctioningpositions dividing f each. section of the .hold. .into multiple water .ballast :compartments,.said other .assembly units i `being ias-tened. to the `hold structure. .but

.'movably mounted zwith-respectr-thereto for. .ready movement .-either ito stowed; A(and.,collapsegzl.posi- .tions -against lthe-.ship :hold structure .pr yf.ro1r1...th'e stowed positions .-tothe i--bal-l-ast functioning.. positions.

8.1 In .a. .ship 1 ,Ga-rg0 :.holdadefined bytathwart /bulkheadsz and .sidelframes .a waterballaststructure comprising. amultiplicity off assembly ballast plate z-units ldividing. the hold .intostarbOard .and

'. portsections y of nfiultiple,ballastl compartmentston the Lopposite sides of .the fore and.. aft .center line of thelhold :one .of.said.assembly, units comprising fore andaft, center line partitionsdisposedlonsthe .opposite sidesofthe .hatchanda pairof plates pivotally fastenedat points inth'evicinity .of .the innerends of the partitions and .movable either vto positions ..closing'..ithe. gap ,between the. inner -ends .of-.said partitions. orto ,positions .against the hold structure, `.certain of. .the ether. assembly units each. comprising. ath-wart partitions Aextending from .points .inthe-vicinity .of... the ,inner ends of the center line, partitionsto; the sidelframes, and .foreand a'ftlballast,platesvpivotally'fastened to said athwart partitions at points intermediate their lengths, said assembly units when in the ballast functioning positions dividing each section of the hold into multiple water ballast compartments, said other assembly units being fastened to the hold structure but movably mounted with respect thereto for ready movement either to stowed and collapsed positions against the ship hold structure or from the stowed positions to the ballast functioning positions, at least parts of said athwart partitions being stowable against the athwart bulkheads. Y 9. In a ship cargo hold, a water ballast structure comprising a multiplicity of assembly ballast plate units dividing the hold into starboard and port sections of multiple ballast compartments on the opposite sides of the fore and aft center line of the hold, one of said assembly units comprising fore and aft center line partitions disposed on the opposite sides of the hatch and one or more plates pivotally mounted and movable either to positions closing the gap between the inner ends of said partitions or to positions against the hold structure, certain of the other assembly units each comprising athwart partitions extending from points in the vicinity of the inner ends of the center line partitions to the side frames, and fore and aft ballast plates pivotally fastened to said athwart Partitions at points intermediate their lengths, said assembly units when in the ballast functioning positions dividing each section of the hold into multiple water ballast compartments, said other assembly units being fastened to the hold structure but movably mounted with respect thereto for ready movement either to stowed and collapsed positions against the ship hold structure or from the stowed positions to the ballast functioning positions, said fore and aft partitions being fixed and the plates forming a continuation thereof being movable through 180 for stowage against said fixed partitions.

10. In a ship cargo hold, a water ballast structure comprising a multiplicity of assembly ballast plate units dividing the hold into starboard and port sections on the opposite sides of the fore and after center line of the hold, one of said assembly units comprising one or more fore and aft center line fixed partitions and one or more plates pivotally mounted on vertical axes and movable either to positions in substantial alinement with the partitions to form a continuous fore and. aft center line partition or swingable to positions against the hold structure, the other assembly units each comprising athwart partitions extending from points in the vicinity of the fore and aft center line to the side frames and fore and aft ballast plates pivotally mounted at points intermediate the lengths of the athwart partitions and movable with respect thereto, said assembly units when in the ballast functioning position dividing each section of the hold into a multiplicity of ballast compartments, said other assembly units being fastened to the hold structure but movably mounted with respect thereto for ready movement either to stowed and collapsed positions against the ship hold structure or from the stowed positions to the ballast functioning positions, theporder of mounting the assembly units in ballast functioning positions being, first, the movement of the fore and aft center line movable plates to ballast functioning position, and, second, the movement of the other assembly units in the same section to ballast functioning position, and the order of moving the units from the ballast functioning position for storage being the reverse of that indicated for moving to the ballast functioning position.

11. Ina ship cargo hold, a water ballast structure comprising a multiplicity of assembly ballast plate units dividing the hold into starboard and port sections on the opposite sides of the fore and aft center line of the hold, one of said assembly units comprising fore and aft center line partitions disposed on the opposite sides of the hatch and a pair of plates mounted on Vertical axes disposed in the vicinity of the inner ends of the partitions and movable either to positions closing the gap between the inner ends of said partitions for ballast functioning or to positions from said ballast functioning positions to positions parallel with and adjacent to said partitions, the other assembly units each comprising athwart partitions extending from points in the vicinity of the inner ends of the center line partitions to the side frames and fore and aft ballast plates pivotally fastened to said athwart partitions at points intermediate their lengths, said assembly units when in the ballast functioning positions dividing each section of the hold into a multiplicity of ballast compartments, said other assembly units being movably mounted with respect to the hold for ready movement either to stowed and collapsed positions against the ship hold structure or from the stowed positions to the ballast functioning positions.

12. Ina ship cargo hold, a water ballast structure comprising a multiplicity of assembly ballast plate units dividing the hold into starboard and port sections on the opposite sides of the fore and aft center line of the hold, one of said assembly units comprising fore and aft center line partitions disposed on the opposite sides of the hatch and a pair of plates mounted on vertical axes disposed in the vicinity of the inner ends of the partitions and movable either to positions closing the gap between the inner ends of said partitions for ballast functioning or to positions 180 from said ballast functioning positions to positions parallel with and adjacent to said partitions, the other assembly units each comprising athwart partitions extending from points in the vicinity of the inner ends of the center line partitions to the side frames and fore and aft ballast plates pivotally fastened to said athwart partitions at points intermediate their lengths, Vsaid assembly units when in the ballast functioning positions dividing each section of the hold into a multiplicity of ballast compartments, said other assembly units being movably mounted with respect to the hold for ready movement either to stowed and collapsed positions against the ship hold structure or from the stowed positions to the ballast functioning positions, said fore and aft center line pivotally mounted plates being swingable in one section of Y said hold, and the yorder of mounting said units in said section for ballast functioning operation being nrst the movement of the fore and aft center line plates from their stowed position, and, second, the movement of the other assembly units in'that section from their stowed position and the movement of these units being in reverse order upon movement from the ballast functioning positions to the stowage positions.

13. In a ship cargo hold, a water ballast structure comprising a multiplicity of assembly ballast plate units dividing the hold into starboard and port sections of multiple ballast compartments on the opposite sides of the fore and aft center line of the hold, one of said assembly units comprising one or more fore and aft center line partitions and one or more plates pivotally mounted 'and `movable either to positions'forming a continua- 'tion of said center line partitions or to positions against the hold structure, certain of the other 'assembly units each comprising athwart partitions extending from the fore and aft center line to the side frames and fore and aft ballast plates pivotally mounted for movements relative to said athwart partitions, said assembly units whenin ballast functioning positions dividing each section of the hold into a multiplicity of ballast compartments, said other assembly units being fas- "tened to the hold structure but movably'mounted with respect thereto for ready movement either tostowed and collapsed positions against the ship hold structure or from the stowed position tothe ballast functioning positions, and means fastening said units in ballast functioning positions, cerftain of the pivotally mounted plates comprising a pivotal mounting member having a rounded convex bearing surface and disposed in a socket support having also a convex rounded bearing surface cooperatively functioning with said first named rounded bearing surface.

14. In a ship cargo hold, `a water ballast structurecomprising a multiplicity 'of assembly ballast ,plate units dividing the hold into starboard Aand portsections on the opposite sides of the fore and aft center line of the hold, one of said assembly units comprising fore and aft center line partitions disposed on the opposite sides of the hatch and a pair of plates mounted on vertical axes disposed in the vicinity of the inner ends of the partitions and movable either to positions closing the gap between the inner ends of said partitions Afor ballast functioning or to positions 180 from said ballast functioning positions to 'positions parallel with and adjacent to said partitions, the other assembly units each comprising athwart partitions extending from points in the vicinity pcf the inner ends of the center line partitions to the side frames and fore and aft ballast plates Ipivotally fastened to said athwart partitions at points intermediate their lengths, said assembly .units when, in the ballast functioning positions dividing each section of the hold into a multiplicity of ballastcompartrnents, said other assembly units being movably mounted with respect tothe hold for ready movement either to stowed and collapsed positions against the ship hold 'structure or from the stowed positions to the ballast functioning positions, certain of the pivotally mounted plates comprising a pivotal mounting .member having a rounded convex bearing surface and disposed ina socket support having also a vconvex rounded bearing surface cooperatively functioning with said first named rounded bearingfsurface.

"15. YIn aship cargo hold, a water ballast structure comprising a multiplicity of assembly ballast plate units dividing the hold into a multiplicity of y:water ballast compartments, certain of said units comprising a pair of relatively movable plates, certain' of said plates carrying a pivotal support member having a rounded convex bearing surface and a socket support therefor com-- prising a corresponding rounded convex bearing surface for supporting the plate.

v16. In a ship cargo hold, a water ballast structure comprising iive assembly ballast plate units *dividing the hold into starboard and port sections ion' the opposite sides of the fore and aft center i'lineof the hold, one of said assembly units compris'ing fore 'and aft center line 'partitions dis# `pose'olon the opposite Ysides ofthe hatch and'bne or more plates pivotally mounted 'and'movable either to positions closing the gap betwee'nthe inner ends of said partitions or to rpositions against the hold structure, 'the other. assembly units each comprising athwart partitions'exteding from points in the vicinity of the-innerlfenlds of the center line partitions to the side vframes and'fore and aft ballastplates pivotally fastened to said athwa'rt partitions at points intermediate their lengths, saidassembly units l'when-in itl-1e ballast functioning positions dividingeach section of the hold into six ballast compartments,

said other assembly units being fastened tothe hold structure but movably mounted with respect thereto for ready movement either to st'owedand collapsed positions against the ship hold structure or'from the stowed positions to the ballast functioning positions, the fore an'daait-center line pivotally mounted plates restingupon'the floor in stowed position.

17. In =a ship cargo hold, a water`ballaststruc ture comprising five assembly ballast` plate units dividing the hold into starboard and'portfsectins on the opposite sides of thefore and -aftcenter line of the hold, oneof said Lasserriblyunitscom-- prising fore and aft center line partitionsff'disposed on the opposite sides of the hatch andone or more plates pivotally mounted andmovable Veither to positions closing the gap-betwee'nthe inner ends of said partitions Hor `to positions against the hold structure, the other-:assembly units each comprising athwart partitions extending from points in the vicinity or the inner 'ends l rto said .athwart partitions at points intermediate their lengths, said assembly units when in the ballastfunctioning positions dividing each s'ection of the hold into six ballast compartments, said other assembly units being fastened to the hold structure but movably mounted with respect thereto for ready movementeither tostowedand collapsed positions against the ship hold structure or from the stowed positions "to the 'ballast functioning positions, the fore and aft center iline pivotally mounted plate means comprising t'wo'or more plates pivotally mounted on horizontalaxes adjacent the floor for stowageupon the floor when the structure is not being `used as awater ballast structure.

18. In a ship cargo hold, a water'ballast'structure comprising five assembly ballast plate units dividing the hold into starboard and port sections on the opposite sides of the fore and aft'center line of the hold, one of said assemblyunits'comprising fore and aft center line partitions disposed on the opposite sides `of the hatch and "one or more plates pivotally mounted and movable either to positions closing the gap between"`the inner ends of said partitions or to positions against the hold structure, the other assembly units each .comprising athwart partitions'extending from points in the vicinity of the innerends of the center line partitions to the side frames and fore and aft ballast plates pivotally fastened to said athwart partitions at pointsintermedi'afte their lengths, said assembly units wheninfthe ballast functioning positions dividing each )section of the hold into six ballast compartments, said other assembly units being fastened to the hold structure but movably mountedwith respect thereto for ready movement eitherltostowed'and collapsed positions against the shiphold's'trucfture or from the stowed positions to the ballast K functioning positions, the other assembly units being formed in separable parts of two or more plates each.

19. In a ship cargo hold, a water ballast structure comprising five assembly ballast plate units dividing the hold into starboard and port sections on the opposite sides of the fore and aft center line of the hold, one of said assembly units comprising fore and aft center line partitions disposed on the opposite sides of the hatch and one or more plates pivotally mounted and movable either to positions closing the gap between the inner ends of said partitions or to positions against the hold structure, the other assembly units each comprising athwart partitions extending from points in the vicinity of the inner ends of the center line partitions to the side frames and fore and aft ballast plates pivotally fastened to said athwart partitions at points intermediate their lengths, said assembly units when-in the ballast functioning positions dividing each section of the hold into six ballast compartments, said other assembly units being fastened to the hold structure but movably mounted with respect thereto for ready movement either to stowed and collapsed positions against the ship hold strucn ture or from the stowed positions to the ballast functioning positions, Athe other assembly units being formed in separable parts of two or more plates each, certain units being separable into two separate parts, one part having two movably mounted plates and the other part having three movable plates.

20. In a ship cargo hold, a water ballast structure comprising nve assembly ballast plate units dividing the hold into starboard and port sections on the opposite sides of the fore and aft center line of the hold, one of said assembly units comprising fore and aft center line partitions disposed on the opposite sides of the hatch and one or more plates pivotally mounted and movable either to positions closing the gap between the inner ends of said partitions or to positions against the hold structure, the other assembly units each comprising athwart partitions extending from points in the vicinity of the inner ends of the center line partitions to the side frames and fore and aft ballast plates pivotally fastened to said athwart partitions at points intermediate their lengths, said assembly units when in the ballast functioning positions dividing each section of the hold into six ballast compartments, said other assembly units being fastened to the hold structure but movably mounted with respect thereto for ready movement either to stowed and Y collapsed positions against the ship hold structure or from the stowed positions to the ballast functioning positions, the other assembly units being formed in separable parts of two or more plates each, certain of said units being separable into two parts for stowage, each part comprising two plates.

2l. In a ship cargo hold, a water ballast structure comprising five assembly ballast plate units dividing the hold into starboard and port sections on the opposite sides of the fore and aft center line of the hold, one of said assembly units comprising fore and aft center line partitions disposed on the opposite sides of the hatch and one or more plates pivotally mounted and movable either to positions closing the gap between the Vinner ends of said partitions or to positions against the hold structure, the other assembly units each comprising athwart partitions extending from points in the vicinity of the inner ends of the center line partitions to the side frames and fore and aft ballast plates pivotally fastened to said athwart partitions at points intermediate their lengths, said assembly units when in the ballast functioning positions dividing each section of the hold into six ballast compartments, said other assembly units being fastened to the hold structure but movably mounted with respect thereto for ready movement either to stowed and collapsed positions against the ship hold structure or from the stowed positions to the ballast functioning positions, the fore and aft center line plate means being disposed in the stowed Dosition on the floor and a ceiling is positioned thereover.

22. In a ship cargo hold, a water ballast structure comprising ve assembly ballast plate units dividing the hold into starboard and port sections on the opposite sides of the fore and aft center line of the hold, one of said assembly units comprising fore and aft center line partitions disposed on the opposite sides of the hatch and one or more plates pivotally mounted and movable either to positions closing the gap between the inner ends of said partitions or to positions against the hold structure, the other assembly units each comprising athwart partitions extending from points in the vicinity of the inner ends of the center line partitions to the side frames and fore and aft ballast plates pivotally fastened to said athwart partitions at points intermediate their lengths, said assembly units when in the ballast functioning positions dividing each section of the hold into six ballast compartments, said other assembly units being fastened to the hold structure but movably mounted with respect thereto for ready movement either to stowed and collapsed positions against the ship hold structure or from the stowed positions to the ballast functioning positions, the fore and aft center line movable plates being reinforced by a beam when in the water ballast functioning position.

23. In a ship cargo hold defined by athwart bulkheads and side frames, a water balla-st structure comprising a multiplicity of assembly ballast plate units dividing the hold into starboard and port sections of a multiplicity of water ballast compartments each on the opposite sides of the fore and aft center line of the hold, one of said assembly units comprising one or more fore and aft center line partitions and one or more pivotally mounted plates forming a continuation of said partitions between the athwart bulkheads, said pivotally mounted plates being movable either to positions forming a continuous fore and aft center position or positions against the hold structure, other assembly units each comprising athwart and fore and aft members cooperating with each other to form ballast compartments and being movably mounted either to ballast functioning position-s or to stowed positions against the hold structure.

24. In a ship cargohold defined by athwart bulkheads and side frames, a water ballast structure comprising a multiplicity of assembly ballast plate units dividing the hold into starboard and port sections of a multiplicity of water ballast compartments each on the opposite sides of the fore and aft center line of the hold, one of said assembly units comprising one or more fore and aft center line partitions and one or more pivotally mounted plates forming a continuation of '15 said partitionsbetween the athwart bulkheads,

said pivotally mounted plates being movable either to positions forming a continuous fore and aft center position or positions against the hold structure, other assembly units each comprising athwart and fore and aft members cooperating with each other to form ballast compartments and being movably mounted either to ballast functioning positions or to stowed positions against the hold structure, said fore and aft center line partitions comprising a pair of partitions joining respectively the athwart bulkheads at their outer ends and forming a gap at their inner ends and said pivotally mounted plate or plates being mounted for pivotal movement about vertical axes and disposed adjacent the partitions when not in ballast functioning position.

25. In a ship cargo hold defined by athwart bulkheads and side frames, a, water ballast structure comprising a multiplicity of assembly ballast plate units dividing the hold into starboard and port sections of a multiplicity of water ballast compartments each on the opposite sides of the fore and aft center line of the hold, one of said assembly units comprising one or more fore and aft center line partitions and one or more pivotally mounted plates forming a continuation of said partitions between the athwart bulkheads, said pivotally mounted plates being movable either to positions forming a continuous fore and 18 aft center position or positions against the hold structure. other assembly units each comprising athwart and fore and aft members cooperating with each other to form ballast compartments and being movably mounted either to ballast functioning positions ror to stowed positions again-st the hold structure, said fore and aft center line partitions comprising a pair of partitions joining respectively the athwart b-ulkheads at their outer ends and forming a gap at their inner ends and said pivotally mounted plate or plates being mounted for pivotal movement about horizontal axes and disposed on the bottom of the hold when not in ballast functioning position.

PETER THOMPSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the lle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Sweden Oct. 28, 1905 

